Philosophy

Philosophy acts as a form of intellectual exercise that makes it easier to identify problems, seek out arguments against your own views and critically evaluate solutions. These skills, along with the ability to read, write, listen and communicate effectively, can prepare you for virtually any career path.

Search Academic Programs

Overview

What is Philosophy at WVU like?

Description

The Department of Philosophy is home to a small, academically vibrant, student-centered, undergraduate program. Our mission is to provide an outstanding liberal arts education with all the advantages of a large research university.

Philosophy students are trained to understand and to respond both critically and creatively to philosophical problems, theories and arguments. Philosophy students investigate fundamental questions that have puzzled human beings for ages. Philosophy deals with questions such as: What do we know and how do we know it? What is morally right and how should we live? What is the nature of the human mind and self? Is there a God and how might human beings know about God? What is the ideal form of government? What is the ultimate nature of reality?

The areas in which students receive instruction include logic, ethics, social-political philosophy, philosophy of law, theory of knowledge, philosophy of science, continental philosophy, metaphysics, history of ancient and modern philosophy, and philosophy of religion.

Because of the vigorous critical thinking students enjoy in a philosophy class, the study of philosophy provides a strong preparation for a wide range of careers including law, business, medicine and journalism.

The Question, a project that encourages thinking, learning and asking more questions.

Coffee Hour events (informal discussions of philosophical topics).

The Philosophy Department hosts several conferences, including a national undergraduate philosophy conference and the Mid-Atlantic Philosophy of Language Workshop.

Research and Academic Opportunities

Philosophers use techniques that can be applied to almost any subject, so the possibilities for philosophical research are nearly endless. No matter your interests, studying philosophy will help you to develop the critical thinking skills that will get you started on uncovering what you want to know.

Our accomplished professors conduct research and teach on a diverse range of subjects, including military ethics, conscientious objection in healthcare, the problem of consciousness, distributive justice, free will, moral and legal responsibility, logic and paradoxes, and the rationality of belief in God, along with many other topics.

3+3 Law Degree Program

This major is eligible for the 3+3 Law Degree Program that allows qualified students to earn a bachelor’s degree and law degree in six years instead of seven years.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

Professional Organizations

Careers

What can you do with this degree?

Our graduates have gone on to careers in business, education, government, law, marketing and advertising, medicine and psychology.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Philosophy major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Bright Outlook

Green Occupation

Requires a Graduate Degree

Lawyers

Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
Possible job titles for this career include: Assistant Attorney General.

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
Possible job titles for this career include: Law Clerk.

Public Relations Specialists

Engage in promoting or creating an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media.
Possible job titles for this career include: Account Executive.

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.
Possible job titles for this career include: District Sales Manager.

Title Examiners, Abstractors and Searchers

Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.
Possible job titles for this career include: Abstracter.

Courses

What are the courses like in Philosophy at WVU?

Major Map

For a program overview, learning goals and course descriptions, visit the course catalog.

Popular Courses

HUM 101:Introduction to Western Civilization 1

Presents the high points of Greco-Roman and Medieval European civilizations: their art, architecture, philosophy, religion, literature and music.

HUM 107:The Humanities of Egypt

This course will focus on the cultural history of Egypt from ancient until modern times.

HUM 112:Humanities of Greece

Presents the art, architecture, philosophy, religion, literature, and history of Greece.

PHIL 100:Problems of Philosophy

An elementary examination of such philosophical problems as the mind-body problem, the existence of God, freedom and determinism, and the nature of persons and their knowledge.

PHIL 120:Introduction to Ethics

Topics include the nature of the good life, whether ethics is relative or there are universal moral truths, the relationship between self- interest and morality, virtues and vices, and the nature of right and wrong.

PHIL 248:History of Modern Philosophy

A study of selected writings by major philosophers of the Western world from Descartes to Kant.

PHIL 285:Ethics Bowl

(May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours.) Students learn skills related to researching, planning, and presenting oral and written arguments on various contemporary ethical debates. Students also prepare to compete in an ethics bowl competition.

PHIL 302:Theory of Knowledge

The nature and scope of human knowledge. Topics may include perception, belief, truth, evidence, certainty, and skepticism.

PHIL 491:Professional Field Experience

(May be repeated up to a maximum of 18 hours). Prearranged experiential learning program, to be planned, supervised, and evaluated for credit by faculty and field supervisors. Involves temporary placement with public or private enterprise for professional competence development.

Cost and Aid

How much does Philosophy at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2018-19 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current West Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

Related Programs

What other options does WVU have?

Biology majors study living organisms and the processes of life. Choose from four areas of emphasis to focus your studies: cellular and molecular biology, ecology and environmental biology, genomics and neuroscience.

When you understand chemistry, you begin to understand the extraordinary nature of the world down to its most basic particles. Chemistry is the science of the materials we use, the medicine we take, the environment we live in and the food we eat.

Go beyond the legal definitions of criminality. Criminology seeks to understand the nature and causes of criminality, as well as the successes and limitations of criminal justice approaches and processes.

History helps us discover new meaning in the past, present and future. Our students learn the best practices of historical research while developing skills for a successful career: thinking critically, communicating effectively and tackling complex problems.

Studying political science will help you understand why courts make the decisions they do, why legislatures pass the laws they do and why countries make the choices they make in the international arena.

Psychology is the science of behavior. This major allows you to increase your intrapersonal and interpersonal understanding and develop problem-solving, project management and information literacy skills.

Don’t let the name mislead you. Women’s and Gender Studies is not just about women, nor is it about male-bashing or gender wars. Rather, our courses cover a broad range of subjects with sensitivity to gender, race, sexual orientation and class.

In today’s increasingly global economy, you can use foreign language study to add a valuable international dimension to myriad career opportunities, such as teaching, business, economics, government work, journalism, law, medicine, computer science and other scientific research.

This broad range of majors is the gateway to an even broader range of careers. You’ll gain in-depth knowledge in one area, plus skills like communication, problem-solving and critical thinking that apply to many disciplines.

Where is WVU?

West Virginia University located in Morgantown, is located about 70 miles south of Pittsburgh, PA. Close to D.C., Cleveland, and New York City, too. Fill in your address below to find out how close WVU is to you.